Wouldham Medway Valley Circular

Starting from small but historic hamlet of Wouldham. Wouldham Court Farm house is 16th century with a Georgian front which was added by a naval sea captain some 200 years later. Opposite is All Saints church, dating from 1058 with many Norman features but mainly perpendicular. The bells dated 1624 are still ringing today. Onwards to Wouldham sculpture, a tribute to the local lime kiln workers whose industry aided the wealth of the area, and then following the path along the river Medway through the marshes with views across to Halling and Cuxton.

Turning right across a bridge, through cow fields to Starkey Castle, one of the most complete surviving stone-built medieval hall-houses in southern England. Built by Sir Humphrey Starkey in 1471 on the site of a fortified house dated from 1360.

Walking up towards Medway Valley Walk and the North Downs Way, there are stunning views across the Medway valley, especially on this spring day with skylarks singing high up in the skies.

Then back into woodland with views from Wouldham Common.

Stopping off at the historic Robin Hood Pub, an isolated country Inn, which, rumour has it, indulged in joint smuggling operations with Waterman’s Arms pub in Wouldham.
The building’s Grade II listed and about 700 years old, reported to be one of the oldest in England and visited by pilgrims on their journey along The Pilgrims Way.

Then down a steep path to Burham (which we climbed on an earlier walk!) and down to the church, again visited earlier this year on my ‘Burham Medway Valley Circular’ walk.

Back on the river taking the Medway Valley Walk past the stone memorial to the Battle of Medway, which took place in 43AD between the Iron Age tribe of the Cantiaci and the Roman invasion of Britain, led by Aulus Plautius.

Then through the new riverside development of Peters Village on the site of the old cement works, Peter’s Pit, named after the owner, and back into Wouldham village.